May 4, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A quintet of former Nittany Lions have officially signed free agents contracts with National Football League teams as rookie mini-camps get underway this weekend.
Defensive end Eric Latimore (Middletown, Del./Minnesota Vikings), defensive back D' Anton Lynn (Celina, Texas/New York Jets), wide receiver Derek Moye (Rochester/Miami Dolphins), defensive back Nick Sukay (Mt. Pleasant/Buffalo Bills) and tight end Andrew Szczerba (Wilmington, Del./Dallas Cowboys) have signed professional contracts.
In addition, fullback Joe Suhey (Deerfield, Ill.) received an invitation to the New York Jets' mini-camp this weekend. With the addition of the five signees and Suhey, the number of former Nittany Lions drafted or signed by NFL teams or invited to mini-camp this year has risen to 10.
Additional 2011 Penn State seniors are expected to sign NFL free agent contracts and be announced by the teams during the next week.
During the 2012 NFL Draft, four Nittany Lions were selected: All-America defensive tackle Devon Still (Wilmington, Del./Cincinnati Bengals), guard Johnnie Troutman (Brown Mills, N.J./San Diego Chargers), defensive end Jack Crawford (Longport, N.J./Oakland Raiders) and linebacker Nate Stupar (State College/Raiders). Still was selected in the second round, while Troutman and Crawford were fifth-round selections. Stupar was the Raiders' seventh-round choice.
Latimore started seven games last season and was seventh on the team with five tackles for loss (minus-24), including three sacks. He made 18 tackles, forced one fumble and had two pass break-ups to help Penn State's Top 10 defense. Latimore graduated in May, 2011.
Lynn and Suhey will join former Penn State first round NFL Draft pick Aaron Maybin with the Jets. A three-time honorable-mention All-Big Ten selection at cornerback, Lynn will join the Jets after starting 37 games during his four-year career. In 2011, he ranked eighth on the team with 49 tackles (32 solo) and tied for the team lead with eight pass breakups. He also ranked seventh in the conference in passes defended.
Moye joins former Nittany Lions Jared Odrick and All-Pro Cameron Wake with the Dolphins. A 2011 team co-captain, Moye finished his standout career as one of the program's top all-time wide receivers. He stands third in the Penn State record book in receiving yards (2,395), fourth in receiving touchdowns (18), fifth in career receptions (144), and tied for fifth in 100-yard receiving games (6). As a senior, he led the team in receptions (40), receiving yards (465), and receiving touchdowns (3). Moye was among the seven Nittany Lions invited to the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine. He graduated in December 2011.
Sukay joins nine-year NFL veteran and former Nittany Lion Bryan Scott with the Bills. Sukay made 32 career starts for the Nittany Lions, including all 13 games in 2011. The safety tied for the Big Ten lead with 11 passes defended and recorded 66 tackles (20 solo) with three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. The ESPN.com first-team All-Big Ten and second-team all-conference honoree collected 136 tackles (63 solo) during his four-year career and made eight interceptions, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. He graduated in May 2011 and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors last fall.
Szczerba joins former "LinebackerU." standouts Dan Connor and Sean Lee with the Cowboys. After missing the 2010 season due to injury, Szczerba made 12 catches for 101 yards last year. He started eight games. At the senior banquet, Szczerba was awarded the Robert B. Mitinger, Jr. Award, given to the senior who exhibits courage, character and social responsibility. Szczerba graduated in May 2011.
Suhey was vital component for the Penn State rushing attack as he helped open holes for Silas Redd's 1,241-yard rushing campaign. In 2011, Suhey made 12 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown and had 51 rushing yards. He started 18 career games for the Nittany Lions and completed his career with 477 receiving yards with three touchdowns and 160 rushing yards and one score. Suhey graduated in May 2011 and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors last season.
A total of 329 Nittany Lions have been selected all-time in the NFL Draft, including 36 in the first round. Penn State had at least four players selected for the 39th time in NFL Draft history. There are 34 former Nittany Lions on NFL rosters, not including 2012 draftees and free agents, placing Penn State in the top 15 nationally among schools in producing current NFL players.